Day Four and Five: Getting’ in that Florida groove
It’s incredible
how quickly we have adopted that laid-back, it’s
all good, mentality. Maybe it’s the heat and humidity; movement + effort =
sweat. It could be that I’m still a tad shell-shocked from my job, and my brain
is shutting down for a re-boot. Most likely, however, it’s the people down
here.
I’ll
admit it flat out. I’m a New England snob. You think you have spurts of crap
weather? BAH, we have damn near every weather related disaster on a regular
basis and we hang in there. You call that pizza? Chinese food? A hospital? You’re
kidding me, right? It’s probably that southern US stigma I carry and my narrow
minded perceptions that bolster perceived superiority.
Now I lived
in warmer climates, Southern California to be more specific. But in the three
and a half years of living there and a week-long visit recently, I never warmed
to the place (pun intended). Something about it, lying just under the surface
that I couldn’t put my finger on, irked me. The song Hotel California seemed to
sum it up for me on a subliminal level. Las Vegas was even worse. One week was
a lifetime there.
But so
far, I love Florida. Being slightly paranoid by nature and occasionally
confrontational by choice, I’ve yet to feel like prey. There’s a sincerity and
politeness that we’ve encountered everywhere we’ve been (the hotel pool and bad
restaurant as exceptions). Sure, it’s a tourist trap on one level, but we haven’t
been treated like a mark.
Case in
point: Last night.
We
found another charming restaurant that could hold its own with many from Boston’s
North End. Garlic invaded our senses from the parking lot, the service was
attentive and friendly and the quality and quantity of food was superb. Being a
weeknight, we were even able to park our now beloved rented steed on the street
directly in front of the establishment. Downtown Stuart is a charming place, accommodating
for walks and decorated with fountains and an astonishing lack of litter. It’s
like a theme park with the only theme being ‘we give a crap how our town looks’.
Granted,
with a couple small blemishes, we have been supremely fortunate during our
stay, enough so that the wife said something that should have put a cryogenic freeze
on my spinal column, but instead only provided a small chill.
“I
could live down here.”
I did
point out a few logistical issues like family location, lack of employment, 90+%
humidity wreaking havoc with her curly hair and, most importantly, during the
summer months Florida is only 12 miles from the sun. Early September is likely
not the best representation sample for long-term weather. Still, I had to give
the suggestion some consideration. I could take Florida, but could Florida take
me – long term?
Of
course, I’d need a job with a pay rate that approximates my present salary. I’d
also need to lose that high-strung NE mindset (no small feet). I think I’d also
need a 2012 Camry and a place near the shore, but capable of withstanding
hurricanes.
But
enough of all that. I can daydream on the issue after my return. For now I’ll
deal with the present and change it up. I’m going to write my first Car &
Driver grade car review.
Car: 2012 Toyota Camry LE
Price: $23,700 (approx.) or, 33% of the cost of the Audi A8
in saw in flames on the side of the highway during the ride down here.
Engine: 2.5 liter four cylinder, 178 hp.
Seats: 5 actual life-sized people/ 10 Kate Moss’s / 2 Cape
buffalo
Cargo capacity: As much luggage as my wife can pack with none
of it invading the back seat.
Demographic: Old farts and people that don’t want to think
about their car as more than an appliance.
Cop visibility: Next to zero (trust me on this one).
Performance: It has plenty. Easily faster than my old ’73 Camaro
except it turns and stops.
Fuel mileage: More than I have any right to expect with my
lead foot and limited patience (31 mpg AVERAGE between highway and congested
in-town traffic)
Interior room: Bigger than my first apartment and far better
equipped.
Options: None.
Color: Stealth Fighter gunmetal metallic.
On the road: AC is meat locker grade, ride is tight, Radio
kicks ass, handling is solid and it will obliterate any sport ute imaginable
from a stop light. After a three hour flight to Orlando, the seats actually
soothed on the remaining 2.5 hour drive here, allowing us to remain mobile and
active until the wee hours during our first night here (We were both up since
4am, bear in mind). The wife has yet to ask for the keys and it may boil down
to an arm-wrestling match if she does. It eats miles like I kill potato chips.
Nits: The sill is high for the wife and for resting elbows
on the widow frame when the window is down. It also tricks you into believing 80mph
is actually 60. The speedometer needs a settable alarm.
Subjective: I want one. The wife isn’t even arguing the
point which is scary good news.
But enough of that. We are off today to pretend we are
studied intellectuals that are environmentally conscious, meaning were headed
to the Florida Oceanographic Institute to witness some of the un-releasable
endangered species they keep in a secured lagoon.
Irony alert! After that, the wife wants to try a local dish
called ‘onion encrusted dolphin’. I may or may not mention that during the
tour.
She may get to drive the car after all if I do…
Enjoying your commentary!
ReplyDelete